Women's basketball: CU Buffs ready for visit from rival Wyoming

Both teams are undefeated on season

Wyoming technically isn't an in-state rival for the Colorado Buffaloes, but it might as well be.

On Wednesday , the CU women's basketball team will host Wyoming in a game that has always had special meaning to the two programs.

"It has been a big deal since (Wyoming coach) Joe Legerski has gotten there, really," CU head coach Linda Lappe said. "We look at it as an in-state game almost. Their roster is full of Colorado kids, and we know a lot of them have played in this building in the state championships and things like that.

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"We look at it as we would look at any other in-state rivalry game."

This is the 44th meeting between the teams. CU hasn't played any other nonconference team as many times as they've faced the Cowgirls. (CU has faced CSU times 42 times).

The two teams played almost every season from 1975-2007 (with the exception of the 1993-94 season). Since 2007, however, they've met just once, in the 2011 Women's NIT. This is the first regular season matchup in nearly five years.

"It's going to be fun," Lappe said. "We remember playing Wyoming two years ago and what a dog fight that was, and we'll be ready."

This one figures to be a good battle, too. Both teams comes in with 4-0 records. Both have played well on offense, have been solid on defense and both teams have rebounded well.

"They make you beat them; they're not going to beat themselves," Lappe said.

Wyoming is sure to be amped up to face the Buffs. Five of the Cowgirls are from Colorado, including former Broomfield High School standout Chaundra Sewell, who is expected to be in the starting lineup.

The Buffs figure to be motivated, as well. Coming off a 14-point win against a good San Diego State team, the Buffs are eager to test themselves against another good team.

"I think we definitely showed a lot playing against SDSU and beating them the way that we did, but you've got to let that go and get ready for the next game," junior guard Brittany Wilson said.

The Buffs are 3-0 at home so far this season and Wilson said it's important to keep that record perfect.

"We just want to, first of all, take care of our home floor," she said. "They're a good team and we're a good team and in order for us to secure home, they're one of the teams we have to come in here and beat."

Regardless of the history between the teams or the location of the game, Lappe is excited to see her team play another good opponent in non-conference play.

"The goal is always that you get to see as many different types of teams and players as you can before you start conference so that once you get to conference play there's nothing that fazes your current team," Lappe said.

"Wyoming is a great team. They're much improved this year from where they were last year. It's going to be a great test for us, a different test than what we faced against San Diego State."

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TODAY: The Colorado Buffaloes (4-0) host the Wyoming Cowgirls (4-0) in a 7 p.m. game at Coors Events Center.

STORYLINES: CU is coming off a championship in the Omni Hotels Classic last weekend in Boulder. ... Wyoming won the Pepperdine Thanksgiving Classic last weekend. ... The Buffs, who started 12-0 last year, haven't had back-to-back 4-0 starts since 1995-96 and 1996-97. ... Both teams opened the season with a home win against Idaho. ... Former Broomfield High School standout Chaundra Sewell is one of the top players for the Cowgirls, averaging 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. ... CU's Arielle Roberson has been named Pac-12 freshman of the week two of the first three weeks of the season. ... The Buffs have won 17 consecutive regular season non-conference games.

KEY STAT: Under head coach Linda Lappe, Colorado is 23-1 in non-conference games (regular season and postseason combined) at Coors Events Center. The Buffs have won 17 in a row since a loss to Illinois on Dec. 4, 2010.

COACHES: Linda Lappe is 43-30 in her third season at CU and 93-66 overall. Joe Legerski is 176-107 in his 10th year at Wyoming and in his career.

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